Offensive Explosion Leads to Victory for Wilmington

August 8, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Wilmington Hammerheads FC News Release


Wilmington, NC - Wilmington Hammerheads FC claimed their first home victory of the season at Legion Stadium on Saturday night versus New York Red Bulls II. Offensive duo Stefan Defregger and Qudus Lawal played major roles in the 4-2 win after notching their first individual goals of the season.

Making his second appearance in the starting lineup at Legion Stadium this season, Defregger tallied his first goal of his professional career in the 19th minute of the match with a low shot to the left corner of the net off an impending high volley from Christian Bassogog on the opposite side.

Lawal manipulated several attempts for opportunities on goal in the first half. The forward was determined to put together play after play until gaining access into Red Bulls II territory. After beating Red Bulls II goalkeeper Santiago Castano to the ball in the penalty box, Lawal flicked a pass back with his heel in hopes to have Defregger make the run, but he was too far off the touch before Castano regained his positioning and made the grab.

Marius Obekop equalized for Red Bulls II in the 31st minute after outrunning Tom Parratt on the Hammerheads' defensive line for a loose ball in the box and putting in a shot into the low, left corner of the net as it passed goalkeeper Andre Rawls on the dive attempt. Moments later, Defregger put the Hammerheads back in the lead in the 35th minute with his second goal of the night. Lawal went one-on-one with Colin Heffron in the penalty area, outplaying him for the short pass out to Defregger at the top of the box for the shot and the goal.

Lawal added a goal of his own to his earlier assist nearing the end of the first half following a breakaway down the sideline, doubling the Hammerheads' lead at the end of the first half 3-1.

A slew of cautions were distributed throughout the second half, including two back-to-back allocations in the 61st minute. New York's James Thomas received a yellow card after taking down Bassogog in the penalty box, earning the Hammerheads a penalty kick. Teammate Konrad Plewa was then shown a yellow for dissent soon after. Midfielder Brian Ackley stepped up for the penalty kick and sunk a shot into the far right corner of the goal to give the Hammerheads a 4-1 lead.

Obekop looked to add another goal of his own later in the match for New York, but was denied by massive back-to-back midair blocks by Rawls. Forward Chris Tsonis had better luck putting another point on the board for Red Bulls II in the 80th minute to bring the score 4-2.

The Hammerheads travel north next weekend to visit the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen's Stadium on Saturday, August 15. For more information regarding Wilmington Hammerheads FC, contact (910) 777-2111 or visit www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com.



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